A 1965 Volkswagen Beetle stolen 40 years ago in Knoxville has been recovered by US Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agents in Detroit.

The car was being sent by rail to Canada, and was eventually going to be shipped to Finland for restoration.

When the vehicle and its documents were examined on January 30, CBP officers learned the VW was reported stolen in 1974. Agents from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) worked with CBP to confirm that the vehicle matched the information reported to Knoxville Police.

"Part of safeguarding our nation is to make sure that all exports are legitimate and lawful,"said Acting Port Director Marty Raybon. "Recovering a vehicle reported stolen 40 years agois a testament to the vigilance and attention to detail on the part of CBP."

Customs and Border Protection spokesman Ken Hammond told the AP that the current owner is from Michigan and was unaware that the car was stolen decades ago.